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Brokelyn Bar Guide

Here’s a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the 60 hand-picked, lovingly curated bars and beer-centric eateries featured in the 2013 editions of the Brokelyn Beer Books. The books have sold out, but these bars are freaking great with or without a Beer Book.

Bedford Hill Coffee Bar
A sunken treasure with seasonal beers, a rotating cabinet of curiosities and a charming staff, find funky events like readings, book swaps and Bed-Stuy’s favorite parents’ happy hour, where moms and dads get a $1 off for every kid.
343 Franklin Ave. (at Greene)
718-636-7650Website // Facebook // Twitter

Black Swan
Dark wood and exposed brick on the walls surround the copper bar with 24 premium craft beers from around the world. Go early for a Michelin-rated brunch on the weekends; stay late for a burger from the midnight menu.
1048 Bedford Ave. (Lafayette & Clifton Place)
718-783-4744Website // Facebook // Twitter

Brooklyn Tap House
This beer hall is huge inside and out with a year-round yard featuring a fire pit in winter. Take some time choosing from the 44 rotating and seasonal taps while watching the HD TVs showing tons of sports.
590 Myrtle Ave. (at Classon)
917-202-1801Website // Facebook

Project Parlor
Go back in time at the cozy boozerie with solid drafts, a large selection of absinthe and avant garde cinema, film noir or classic cartoons projected on the wall. Bring some food to grill out back or snuggle up with a board game.
742 Myrtle Ave. (Sanford & Nostrand)
347-525-5482

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS

Waterfront Ale House
The decade-old neighborhood haunt offers up a shabby chic first impression, but once inside you’ll find award-winning barbecue with creative offerings such as venison chili and tandoori veggie burgers. The real treat is the selection of 19 local and craft beers to choose from.
155 Atlantic Ave. (Henry & Clinton)
718-522-3794 ‎Website // Facebook

The Anchored Inn
You’ll be happy to be shipwrecked with the nautical ephemera on the walls, including a full diving suit. Order some food specials from the galley and try one of the constantly rotating draft beer selections.
57 Waterbury St. (Scholes & Meserole)
718-576-3297Website // Facebook // Twitter

Brooklyn Fire Proof East
In Bushwick style, this spot has multiple personalities: a cafe by day, a bar and restaurant by night, with attached performance and gallery space. An extensive craft beer list and arts vibe make it worth the trip.
119 Ingraham St. (Knickerbocker & Porter)
347-223-4211Website // Facebook

Mazelle
A bit of Russia, right in Bushwick! The bar serves Eastern European favorites alongside its beers, including scotch eggs, paddlefish caviar and dollar oysters. Events include DJ parties and Dolly Parton band night.
247 Starr (at Wyckoff)
347-425-7675Facebook

Miles
The perfect place to catch up with friends, Miles offers a solid selection of microbrews and seasonal beers. Or grab a cheese board and custom cocktail and enjoy the vintage vinyl nights.
101 Wilson Ave. (Troutman and Starr)
718-483-9172Website // Facebook

Bar Great Harry
20 rotating drafts, one hand-pump cask and a whole mess of bottled beers are a lot to work through, so bring your dog to keep you company, snack on a DUB pie from Red Hook or bang away at the three pristine pinball machines.
280 Smith St. (at Sackett Street)
718-222-1103Website // Twitter

Buschenschank
This beer hall offers 16 German beers on tap to choose from while curling up by the fireplace or listening to live music in its ratskeller on the weekends. A full menu includes dumplings, fondue and wurst.
320 Court St. (Sackett & Degraw)
718-237-0325Website // Facebook // Twitter

CLINTON HILL

Lola BKLYN
Quirky vintage decor draws people in for all-you-can eat mussels on Thursday nights and theme-based trivia every Tuesday. They stay around for the craft beers on tap, a tree-shrouded back yard and full kitchen menu.
387 Myrtle Ave. (Clermont and Vanderbilt)
718-858-1484Website

Ox Cart Tavern
The bar pays homage to the Old Ox Cart Beer that was brewed upstate in 1937 and Ditmas Park’s Dutch history, but it’s creating new traditions with hearty pub fare such as catfish, crabcake poppers and great beers on tap.
1301 Newkirk Ave. (at Argyle)
718-284-0005Website

The Castello Plan
Candle light and wood-paneled walls make for a romantic date night, but the ample choices of rare beers from Portland to Denmark make it the right spot for any kind of crowd.
1213 Cortelyou Rd. (Westminster & Argyle)
718-856-8888Website // Facebook // Twitter

Sycamore
A flower shop and bar combo pouring domestic and international craft beers. The ivy-surrounded garden is open year round; bring food to throw on the grill or enjoy regular live music and tastings.
1118 Cortelyou Rd. (Stratford & Westminster)
347-240-5850Website // Facebook // Twitter

GREENPOINT

Black Rabbit Bar
Grab a date or some friends and cozy into an old-style wooden booth with swinging doors and a light you flick for service. The craft beers and kitchen pair with the fireplace, garden and piles of board games.
91 Greenpoint Ave. (Franklin & Manhattan)
718-349-1595Website // Facebook // Twitter

Boulevard Tavern
Get all-you-can-eat BBQ here for $5, even in winter. In summer, grab one of the 12 beers on tap and head to the beautiful backyard or stay inside and catch shows like Breaking Bad or Portlandia on the 8’ screen.
579 Meeker Ave. (N. Henry & Monitor)
718-389-3252Facebook

The Diamond
Eight rotating taps and 35 bottles/cans make up the most focused selection of session beers under 4.5% in New York City. The locals’ favorite also offers a shuffleboard table or a chance to chat in the Gore Mountain ski gondola out back.
43 Franklin St. (Calyer & Quay)
718-383-5030Website // Facebook

GOWANUS

Halyards
Halyards has added a touch of class to the Gowanus corridor with great drafts and old-school cocktails. The bar draws regular crowds for weekly screenings of premium shows like Girls and Boardwalk Empire.
406 Third Ave. (at 6th)
718-532-8787Website // Facebook // Twitter

Mission Dolores
The former auto shop has a funky and unique layout: walls collapse in nice weather, opening a flow between the courtyard, two pinball machines and the bar in the back, where 20 rotating drafts and one cask await.
249 Fourth Ave. (Carroll & President)
347-457-5606Website // Twitter

The Owl Farm
Named after Hunter S. Thompson’s farm, the craft beer bar has three classic pinball machines to keep you busy while you select from the 28 curated, rotating draft lines and two casks.
297 9th St.(at Fifth Avenue)
718-499-4988Website // Facebook

Pork SlopePair chef Talde’s versions of American classics like ribs and porky melt with a brew from a large craft draft or classic canned beer selection late into the night. Or go for the Slippery Slope shot-beer special.
247 Fifth Ave. (Carroll & Garfield)
718-768-7675Website // Facebook // Twitter

Prospect
The floors and ceiling beams in this huge watering hole are made of reclaimed wood that gives it a cozy feel, complete with 22 rotating craft beers. Stretch out even more in the open, bi-level backyard with picnic tables.
545 Fifth Ave.
347-599-1087

Branded Saloon
A bit of the West right here in Brooklyn, this silver-spurs hangout holds 12 taps of local and craft beers, 30 bourbons and a heaping helping of camp with its weekly entertainment that includes White Trash Bingo.
603 Vanderbilt Ave. (Bergen)
718-484-8704Website // Facebook

Flatbush Farm
The former home of a bookstore owned by Mos Def and Talib Kweli now focuses on local and sustainable food and beers. Bring a date and order from the Flatbush Farm menu or bring a crowd and chill in the vast backyard.
76 St. Marks Ave. (Sixth & Flatbush)
718-622-3276Website // Facebook // Twitter

The Way Station
Brooklyn’s own nerdvana, it’s got a Doctor Who-loving, steampunk aesthetic that includes live music every night, five rotating beer lines, and, of course, a TARDIS for a bathroom. Bigger on the inside!
683 Washington Ave. (Prospect & St. Marks)
347-627-4949Website // Facebook // Twitter

RED HOOK

Brooklyn Ice House
The backyard garden — where you can roast s’mores over a campfire in the winter — captures Red Hook’s waterfront vibe. Wash down in-house-smoked pulled pork sandwiches with one of the 60 beers from around the world.
318 Van Brunt St. (Pioneer Street & Visitation Place)
718-222-1865Facebook

Rocky Sullivan’s
A taste of Ireland in Red Hook with Celtic music, pub quiz and hearty food. The local connection stays strong with Six Point beers, local food nights, readings and a welcoming roof deck.
34 Van Dyke St. (at Dwight)
718-246-8050Website // Facebook

SOUTH SLOPE

Freddy’s Bar and Backroom
Voted one of Esquire magazine’s best bars in America, Freddy’s survived Atlantic Yards, and its new spot has the same decor and regulars as the old. Take a craft beer on tap to the backroom for a music or comedy showcase.
627 Fifth Ave. (17th & 18th streets)
718-768-0131Website // Twitter

Sea Witch Tavern
Life under the sea is good, where landlubbers are greeted with 20 taps, a saltwater fish tank and a galley menu with fried clam belly sandwiches. The adventure continues in the large backyard with water features.
703 Fifth Ave. (21st & 22nd)
347-227-7166Website // Facebook // Twitter

South
In winter, you can cozy up at this warm pub with free popcorn, video games and grilled cheese until 4am. In summer, take one of the 70 beers to the sunny backyard and meet the locals.
629 Fifth Ave. (17th & 18th)
718-832-4720Website

WILLIAMSBURG

Banter
Get your beer breakfast here because this old-world pub opens at 8 a.m. for English football. The bar also shows The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad on its big-screen, giving you something to watch while you select one of 24 curated beers.
132 Havemeyer St. (Havemeyer & S. 1st)
718-599-5200Website // Facebook // Twitter

The Bedford
The vintage bar with plush leather banquets, tin walls and ceiling features live DJs five nights a week, a full dinner menu until 2am and a curated selection of tasty beers.
110 Bedford Ave. (at N. 11th)
718-302-1002Website // Facebook // Twitter

Brooklyn Brewery
Visit the the Tasting Room of the world-famous Brooklyn Brewery for the freshest beer in the borough. You’ll find rare offerings, one-offs, cask and the comfort of communal seating, with free tours on the hour.
79 N. 11th St. (Berry & Wythe)
(718) 486-7422Website // Facebook // Twitter

Full Circle Bar
The national home of Brewskee-Ball, the first-ever competitive skee-ball league, Full Circle has four classic lanes, which are free on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pair one of the 50 canned beers with a hot dog or pretzel for the full experience.
318 Grand St. (Havemeyer & Marcy)
347-725-4588Website // Facebook // Twitter

Good Co.
The sprawling back patio features ping pong, cornhole and barbecue truck in the summer; in the winter, stretch out inside for Tuesday night trivia and the tasty beer-liquor combos.
10 Hope St. (Roebling & Havemeyer)
718-218-7191Website // Facebook // Twitter

K & M
Work up a thirst at the regular dance nights, covering the gamut from old soul to obscure indie at this former pierogi factory. You can still snack on one, and the no-frills bar holds a rotating beer lineup.
225 N. 8th St. (Hinckley & Turner)
718-388-3088

Mable’s Smokehouse and Banquet Hall
This ain’t no imitation barbecue: Mable’s features pulled pork, ribs, slaw and other recipes based on the Oklahoma restaurant the owner’s mother ran. The funky farmhouse vibe includes mismatched chairs, wagon wheel light fixtures and six taps of local and craft beers.
44 Berry St. (Wythe)
718-218-6655Website // Facebook // Twitter

South 4th Bar and Cafe
Good for hangover hooky from work (or for doing actual work on its free wifi), the locals’ corner hang is a dog-friendly spot serving Irving Farms coffee and craft beers. Local art lines the walls and regular movie nights keep the crowd entertained.
90 S. 4th St. (at Berry)
718-218-7478Website // Facebook // Twitter

The Soft Spot
The surprisingly big backyard is open until 10, where you can also enjoy BBQ every weekend in the summer. Inside is a cozy, unassuming bar with good lighting and 2-for-1 specials every weekday until 8.
128 Bedford (N. 9th & N. 10th)
718-384-7768Website // Facebook // Twitter

WINDSOR TERRACE

Double Windsor
14 taps focus on American draft beers, with selection rotating almost daily and more in bottles. Beer events are held regularly and the full menu features Pat LaFrieda burgers.
210 Prospect Park West (at 16th Street)
347-725-3479Website // Facebook // Twitter